Both teams entered the final Group C tie having won their opening match against Maldives, but the pressure was on Bahrain who needed to win to pip Iraq to the top spot. 

It was Iraq, however, who broke the deadlock in the 19th minute from a counter-attack that finished with Hasan Abdulkareem Sayyid letting loose a crackling strike from outside the box into the top left corner. 

Desperate for the equaliser, Bahrain threw bodies forward and came close six minutes later with Abbas Fadhel Alasfoor connecting to a corner kick but Iraqi goalkeeper Hassan Ahmed Hussein was equal to the challenge. 

In their search for the equaliser, Bahrain were hit again in the 42nd minute when Muntadher Mohammed pounced on a loose ball from a failed clearance and unleashed a shot that left ‘keeper Ammar Mohamed Ahmed stunned. 

The fast-paced action at the Sheikh Ali bin Mohammed Al Khalifa Stadium continued in the second half with Iraq having the lion’s share of possession and they were rewarded in the fourth minute of added time when substitute Sohaib Raad Al Gertani converted Hussen Ammar Alsawad’s cross.